You might have heard the term “emerging leader” at work. Or perhaps, you’ve been told you are a leader, but you have no idea how that’s possible; after all, you’re not a CEO. You don’t have the role title.

I know what it’s like to feel that sense of confusion, or perhaps the sense of “how can I be a leader?” and so I thought I would take a step back, and explore it as a concept and, hopefully, help you feel empowered to see yourself as an emerging leader – if you want to.

What does it mean to be an emerging leader?

Unlike a title for a leadership position that has a specific description attached, “emerging leader” is more nuanced. After years of following my own passions and interests and helping others do the same, I’ve come to realise that “emerging leader” is not bound by a singular definition. 

After some time reflecting, here are what I believe are some of the core elements to emerging leadership.

~ An emerging leader is someone with a drive to make a difference and an attitude towards growth and lifelong learning.

~ Emerging leaders have the energy and ability to inspire. 

~ Emerging leaders are on the path towards leadership, but may not have the title or the accountability that goes along with a defined role. 

~ They’re dreamers who take action.

But it is already “leadership”. 

I prefer “emerging leader” to “future leader” because an emerging leader is already a leader, even if it’s at the beginning of the journey. It’s an evolution of self. There is always more to learn, even while we are leading.

Leadership is more than the role.

Leadership is also about purpose, values and relating to other people. Role title, age, or experience have no relevance to how you show up as a person, how you show kindness, compassion and empathy. Leadership needs inner resolve, self-awareness and self-leadership. Emerging leader or CEO, these aspects to leadership are fundamental. 

It sounds like a lot, but in my experience, stepping into the potential to be a leader to do what you feel called to do can feel somewhat like a homecoming to your authentic self.

Becoming a leader requires this single decision, to be made over and over again. 

You don’t become a leader because someone hands you a baton and tells you “you are a leader now.”

You become a leader when you realise that you can create the change you wish to see, the positive difference that is needed in the world.

But it also requires a decision: the decision to be a leader.

It might not be the exact word you use, at first. It might just be a feeling or a drive, but it’s the same: it’s a mindset and an attitude, and a way of showing up in the world.

And, this decision is not made only once. It’s made every day. It’s made in the smallest moments. 

Being a leader is uncomfortable. It’s not always about bravery, either: it’s uncomfortable because you have to do work that stretches you, you have to learn new things and choose to get up and take a stand instead of curling up on the couch to watch TV. Sometimes, it’s choosing to take care of yourself, if that’s what you need.

It requires a decision to be made countless times on the journey. You have to choose to show up as a leader – which is likely the difficult path – instead of the easier way. 

The good news? Each time you make the decision, it gets easier to make. 

It becomes a practice. You don’t have to do it perfectly, but you have to show up and each time you do, you make a difference. You inspire someone. You take a step towards the change you want to make. 

Do we all have the potential to be a leader?

I believe yes.

If we want to. If we make the choice to.

Because leadership traits are not traits at all, they are skills. Skills that can be developed. Skills that can be learned.

Far harder? Taking ownership of our potential. I wonder if we create our own internal obstacles; questions like: there are leaders already, so who am I to become one? 

It’s true that one leader for a group of people is generally a useful structure; like how we usually have one CEO for a company. But that does not mean that the company is not full of leaders, leading projects, leading organisational change, or leading small teams. Plus, that’s just one company. What about everything else going on in the world?

We don’t have one person leading everything. 

We have many leaders leading many things. I am sometimes a leader, and I am sometimes a follower. It depends on the context. We need many leaders who are willing to show up and create the change we need in the world. 

There is room for you.

I believe that we each have a unique potential to be a leader if we want to be.

But it starts with belief.